Ambrose Godfrey Hanckwitz

Engraved by George Vertue, English. After a painting by R. Schmutz
Made in London

Paper: 8 x 5 in.
Engraving on wove paper

Not on display

Gift of Fisher Scientific International

Fisher Collection

FA 2000.001.074

No known copyright restrictions

Description

This engraving shows the bust of Ambrose Godfrey-Hanckwitz (1660–1741), an apothecary from Germany who later came to England to assist Sir Robert Boyle; he is surrounded by his apparatus. At the left are the furnace and receiver used in the manufacture of phosphorus. The molten product was removed with a ladle to the molds in which it was cast into sticks. Flaming phosphorus and the phoenix, the emblems of fire and immortality, are in the foreground.